We Need You To Lead Us: Join Our Community

Dear Friends of Acumen Fund on Facebook Causes,

In his book Tribes, Seth Godin discusses how change is best effected by a group of like-minded individuals united around a powerful idea. Acumen Fund was founded on such an idea: we believe that Patient Capital has the power to build a world beyond poverty. However, we need your help to realize this vision.

Introducing Acumen Fund’s Online Community – the place online to connect with people from all around the world who are excited about supporting Acumen Fund’s vision and mission:

Started in October 2009, the Online Community is integral to Acumen Fund’s Community engagement efforts. While we will continue to keep our Facebook Causes site running with occasional news and important announcements, our Community site will serve as the best place to get more involved and engaged in our work.

Here are a few things you can do on with the Online Community:

Connect with over 2,811 members (and counting) from 108 countries, across dozens of interest groups who are passionate about the idea of Patient Capital.

Learn about Acumen Fund and social enterprise through multimedia and discussion forums with Acumen Fund staff.

Contribute to our cause by attending and organizing local events to raise awareness and donations for Acumen Fund.

The Online Community has something for you, regardless of your background:

Students: Learn how you can bring Patient Capital to your campus through our Campuses for Social Enterprise Group and Student Resources page.

Professionals: It doesn’t matter if you’re a banker, policy junkie, advertising guru, or activist. You and your peers can get involved with our work. Join an Official Chapter in New York or San Francisco, or one of our Seed Chapters in London, Dubai, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, or Boston. You can also search for other groups based on interest or geography.

Blue Sweater Fans: The Blue Sweater is the inspiring memoir of Jacqueline Novogratz, Acumen Fund’s Founder & CEO. It chronicles her journey from Wall Street to the slums of Africa in an effort to understand global poverty, and tells the story of how Acumen Fund and “Patient Capital” came to be. Our Community site contains a wealth of resources about the book, including the Blue Sweater fan group, reader resources, information about how to help, and how to get the book.

Patient Capital Enthusiasts: If you have the passion & commitment to help support Acumen Fund’s work in some way or form, you can be sure that our staff will invest in supporting you.

Increasingly, we’re seeing the power of communities to contribute to our mission. Last July, the Young Professionals for Acumen New York Chapter (now New York for Acumen) raised $25,000 for Acumen Fund in a single night. This January, residents of local slums in Nairobi, Kenya, organized a “Super Book Club” reading of The Blue Sweater which attracted more than 90 individuals to meet Jacqueline Novogratz in person. All around the world, people are giving their time, money and effort to bring the power of Patient Capital to bear on poverty.

This is our invitation to you to help lead us. Be a part of our Community today.